United States Fifty-dollar Bill - Large Size Note History

Large Size Note History

( 7.4218 × 3.125 in ≅ 189 × 79 mm)

• 1861: Three-year fifty dollar Interest Bearing Notes were issued that paid a cent of interest per day, and thus 7.3% annually — the so-called seven-thirties. These notes were not primarily designed to circulate, and were payable to the original purchaser of the dollar bill. The obverse of the note featured a Bald Eagle.
• 1862: The first circulating $50 bill was issued.
• 1863: Both one and two year Interest Bearing Notes were issued that paid 5% interest. The one-year Interest Bearing Notes featured a vignette of Alexander Hamilton to the left and an allegorical figure representing loyalty to the right. The two-year notes featured allegorical figures of loyalty, and justice.
• 1864: Compound Interest Treasury Notes were issued, intended to circulate for three years and paying 6% interest compounded semi-annually. The obverse is similar to the Series of 1863 one-year Interest Bearing Note.
• 1865: Three-year Interest Bearing Notes were issued again with a slightly different Bald Eagle and border design on the obverse.
• 1869: A new $50 United States Note was issued with a portrait of Henry Clay on the right and an allegorical figure holding a laurel branch on the left of the obverse.
• 1870: Fifty Dollar National Gold Bank Notes were issued specifically for payment in gold coin by 2 national gold banks. The obverse featured vignettes of George Washington crossing the Delaware River and at Valley Forge; the reverse featured a vignette of U.S. gold coins.

• 1874: Another new $50 United States Note was issued with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the left and allegorical figure of Lady Liberty on the right of the obverse.
• 1878: The first $50 Silver Certificate was issued with a portrait of Edward Everett. The reverse was printed in black ink.
• 1880: The Series of 1878 Silver Certificate was slightly revised.
• 1882: The first $50 Gold Certificate with a portrait of Silas Wright was issued. The reverse was printed in orange ink and featured a Bald Eagle perched atop an American flag.
• 1891: The obverse of the $50 Silver Certificate was slightly revised and the reverse was completely changed.
• 1891: The $50 Treasury or "Coin Note" was issued and given for government purchases of silver bullion from the silver mining industry. The note featured a portrait of William H. Seward.
• 1913: A new $50 Gold Certificate with a portrait of Ulysses Grant was issued. The style of the area below Grant's portrait was later used on small-sized notes.
• 1914: The first $50 Federal Reserve Note was issued with a portrait of Ulysses Grant on the obverse and an allegorical figure of Panama between a merchant and battle ship on the reverse.
• 1918: Federal Reserve Bank Notes (not to be confused with Federal Reserve Notes) were issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis. The obverse was similar to the 1914 Federal Reserve Notes, except for large wording in the middle of the bill and a portrait with no border on the left side of the bill. The note was an obligation of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank and could only be redeemed there.